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Topic: Identify uniform (Read 556 times)

I believe this is a picture of my grandfather, Donald Muir from Glasgow. He was born in 1875 and I think the photo was taken about 1895 by Hampton photographers in Glasgow. Although the uniform looks military (Royal Artillery was suggested to me), I don't think Donald was ever in the military. As far as I know he worked in the Glasgow shipyards all his life and he is there in the 1891 and 1901 censuses. Perhaps it is a bandsman's uniform or did photographic studios have clothes (and uniforms) for customers to dress up in? I assume the original was in black and white but that it was coloured later (I remember my uncle, his son, used to do that). Any help appreciated

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There are Militia papers on FindMyPast for a Donald MUIR of Barony, Glasgow in the 4th Bn. Scottish Rifles, attested 1890 discharged 1892. This may or may not be your man, his birth year is given as 1873, but it is not uncommon for age to be increased to enable enlistment.

I cannot find a clear enough picture of the period, but I am fairly sure their belt buckle bears the same flaming grenade as the man in your photograph.

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The Scottish Rifles wore rifle green jackets and tartan trews. Goverment or Black Watch tartan from 1884 to 1892 when they were authorised to wear the Douglas tartan. 3rd and 4th battalions were militia, previously Lanarkshire volunteers.

The pill box hat would have also been rifle green with black band, worn only in drill order.

Possibly the colourist painted in what he knew and not the correct colours. Or this is an artillery uniform which would explain the belt buckle badge. Militia badges and insignia can be difficult to find on line sometimes, particularly for specific regts. But i'm reasonably sure the Scottish rifles, all batts, wore the Cameronians bugle horn on the belt buckle.

Thanks Jebber for that information. I'm not sure if its the same Donald Muir in the Scottish Rifles because grandfather was married in 1901 and was described on the marriage cert as a journeyman boilermaker. Its a bit indistinct but the belt doesn't seem to have a buckle - just three white buttons. That is one reason why I thought it maybe was just a photographer's prop.

Thank you John915It's quite possible the colours are wrong. As I said, I imagine my uncle coloured this photograph and this could well have been after my grandfather's death in 1946, so he wouldn't necessarily have known the correct colours.I have looked up the photographers (Hamptons) and from the design of the photo mounting it is likely the picture was taken about 1900.

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